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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Kimberley – The Heart of Australia (Island Sky)

The Kimberley – The Heart of Australia (Island Sky)

From GBP £7,995

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Description

Join us on a visit to the Kimberley, the real ‘Outback’ and an area the Australian’s refer to as “The Land of Wait A While”. It was the last great empty section of Australia to be explored, with European settlers arriving only just over a hundred years ago. Ignored by the early explorers, the Kimberley today is one of the richest areas of Australia. Record gold and diamond rushes, great cattle drives and hauls of pearl shells have put the Kimberley on the economic map, yet for all its latterly discovered wealth it still remains one of the most untouched areas in the world today. Covering nearly 423,000 square kilometres, the region has fewer people per square kilometre than almost any other place on earth and is truly one of the world’s last great wilderness areas with a complex landscape which encompasses spectacular gorges and waterfalls, fascinating cave systems and an incredibly diverse variety of wildlife.

Due to its wild and undeveloped nature, the Kimberley is a wonderful place for the genuine traveller to explore and it is perfect for expedition style cruising. There are so many highlights, it is difficult to know where to begin when extolling its virtues. From the King George River and Falls to the tidal phenomena at the Montgomery Reef, from the fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities of Bigge Island to the horizontal waterfalls near Talbot Bay and the hundreds of islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago. The whole vast area offers a cornucopia of natural world delights on a scale seldom witnessed anywhere else in the world.

Trip Name
The Kimberley - The Heart of Australia (Island Sky)
Days
16
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 Sister ship to Hebridean Sky. Island Sky and Hebridean Sky are truly sisters. Built in the same Italian Shipyard, both boast spacious, well-appointed suites, stylish common areas, and redundant core technology that allows them to operate smoothly, even under the most challenging of conditions. Both ships are all-suite, all-inclusive small expedition vessels with touches of elegance throughout. The Island Sky is scheduled for additional upgrades in 2017, including the addition of tinted sliding glass doors to all cabins on the Promenade Deck. Services: World-Class Cuisine Complimentary Wine or Beer with Dinner Live Entertainment Complimentary Coffee/Tea station Voyage Photographer On-board MD and Facilities Dedicated Passenger Service Manager Pre-voyage hotel night Complimentary Expedition Jacket Facilities: Elevator serving all passenger decks Upgraded WIFI Internet Library with computers Panoramic Top Deck Observation Platform Bar/Lounge with Live Entertainment Lounge with Audiovisual Facilities DVD Movie Library Tinted sliding glass doors in all cabins on the Promenade Deck World-Class Cuisine: Great expeditions require great food! Our team of world-class chefs offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that change daily. They have boat-loads of creativity, so you are sure to experience a variety of remarkable cuisine throughout your voyage. Accommodations: All Suites Feature: Exterior views Your choice of queen-sized or two twin-sized beds Sitting area with sofa and side chair Flat Screen TV with DVD/CD player Telephone Independent temperature controls Mini-Bar Marble-appointed bathroom with fine toiletries Hair dryer 220 square feet or more Sofa can be converted to bed for third person PLEASE NOTE - DECK PLANS CAN VARY.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London to Perth, Australia.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 - Day 2 Perth.
Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the Duxton Hotel (or similar) for a two night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 3 - Day 3 Perth.
After breakfast in the hotel join a guided tour of Perth which will include a walk of Kings Park, perched on Mount Eliza. Absorb impressive views of the city and the Swan River and visit the Caversham Wildlife Park. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon to explore at your own pace before we meet tonight for a welcome dinner.
Day 4 - Day 4 Perth to Wyndham.
This morning transfer to Perth airport for our flight to Kununurra. On arrival transfer to the MS Island Sky in Wyndham and sail this evening.
Day 5 - Day 5 King George River.
At dawn we will start our 12 kilometre journey through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery along the mighty King George River. Millions of years of erosion have created vertical sheer walls that resemble stacks of sandstone. The highlight is sure to be King George Falls, the highest single drop falls in the whole of the Kimberley and our expedition team will get you to the cascading waters. Those feeling active may like to accompany some of the expedition team on a trek to the top of the falls for breathtaking views. For those that remain at the foot of the falls we will run a series of Zodiac cruises through the gorge looking for wildlife such as flying foxes, dugong and crocodiles.
Day 6 - Day 6 Bigge Island.
Off the coast of the Kimberley, approximately six kilometres from the mainland, Bigge Island is filled with fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities and is well known for its Indigenous Australian rock art, created by the Wunambal people. In caves throughout the island, you will be able to see paintings including fascinating examples of first contact art and Wandjina figures.
Day 7 - Day 7 Raft Point & Montgomery Reef.
This morning we arrive at Raft Point and use the Zodiacs to land on the beach. Either enjoy time to relax whilst the energetic can climb to a secluded Aboriginal rock art gallery to view Wandjina art which is over 4000 years old. Enjoy the spectacular views from the top before returning to the ship. Over lunch we position to the magnificent Montgomery Reef which ‘rises’ out of the ocean as the tidal waters cascade down in to the surrounding deep channels in an awesome display of the power of nature. Join our expedition team aboard the Zodiacs to experience this natural phenomenon up close and discover the reef’s diverse marine life including turtles, manta rays and reef sharks.
Day 8 - Day 8 Horizontal Falls, Talbot Bay.
Talbot Bay is known for its massive 12 metre tides that create an amazing spectacle, the unique Horizontal Falls. David Attenborough described the phenomena as “one of the greatest natural wonders in the world”. Subject to tidal conditions we board local boats for an exhilarating ride through the falls. This afternoon we will use our Zodiacs to explore Cyclone Gorge. Here we hope to see crocodiles and fiddler crabs in the waters whilst observing the unique geology and amazing rock formations.
Day 9 - Day 9 Adele Island, Buccaneer Archipelago.
Today we will cruise through the Buccaneer Archipelago, home to more than 800 islands and arrive at Adele Island. A hook shaped island off the central Kimberley coast, this is an important location for breeding seabirds including the lesser frigate bird and the brown booby.
Day 10 - Day 10 Careening Bay.
This afternoon we arrive at Careening Bay. Visit the iconic site of the ancient carved double-trunked Boab tree bearing the engraving ‘HMC Mermaid – 1820’. Carved by one of the crew, the inscription commemorates the site where the ship was grounded and repaired.
Day 11 - Day 11 Prince Frederick Harbour, Hunter River & Naturalist Island.
The Prince Frederick Harbour is home to some of the most spectacular scenery we will see. Soaring red cliffs, green rainforest and mangroves paint a beautiful canvas for our arrival as we sail through Nine Pin Head, the sandstone bluff that marks the mouth of the river. We follow the Hunter River to reveal the spectacular backdrop of Mount Trafalgar while to the north Mount Anderson rises to an impressive 480 metres. We will drop anchor at Naturalist Island and have the choice to join a Zodiac excursion around the island and mangroves looking for wildlife, especially crocodile, or an optional helicopter excursion to Mitchell Falls. This amazing four-tiered waterfall drops 80 metres and is surrounded by the red escarpment lands of the Mitchell Plateau making the view from the air quite stunning. We will land at the top for a short walk to the lookout points and may even have a chance to swim in the river at the top of the falls.
Day 12 - Day 12 Vansittart Bay & Jar Island.
We have the whole day to explore Vansittart Bay. First thing this morning we will use the Zodiacs to land on Jar Island to see the Gwion Aboriginal art gallery. Discovered by Joseph Bradshaw in 1891, some of the art has been dated back over 17,000 years and is unique to this region. We will walk to the two rock art galleries and see the rocky burial mound between the sites. Return to the vessel for lunch and this afternoon land on the Anjo Peninsula. Our onboard naturalists will lead various walks over the mud flats, rock pools and sand dunes looking for wildlife, birds and plants.
Day 13 - Day 13 At Sea.
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea and attend a lecture or two.
Day 14 - Day 14 Darwin.
This morning we arrive in Darwin and join a full day tour to Litchfield National Park which is famous for its spectacular waterfalls. See Florence Falls and enjoy an interpretive bush and monsoon vine forest walk. Travel onto Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading down to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. We will return via Wangi Falls with its large crystal-clear pool; maybe take a dip in the cool waters and witness Litchfield’s amazing stand of termite mounds.
Day 15 - Day 15 Darwin.
Disembark and transfer to the airport for your scheduled indirect flight to London.
Day 16 - Day 16 London.
Arrive this morning.
Day 17 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £7,995Magellan Deck Standard Suite
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £8,195Columbus Deck Superior Suite
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £8,695Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £8,995Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £9,495Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £9,795Magellan Deck Standard Single
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £9,995Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £9,995Columbus Deck Superior Single
19-08-202103-09-2021GBP £10,695Explorer Deck Island Suite

Inclusions

    • Explore King George River.
    • Discover Raft Point & Montgomery Reef.
    • Enjoy Adele Island, Buccaneer Archipelago.
    • Travel to Prince Frederick Harbour, Hunter River & Naturalist Island.

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